Category: Faith

encouragement · Faith · motherhood · Uncategorized

What I Prayed For

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Have you ever heard “don’t pray for patience?” Or, “be careful if you’re praying for patience.” Or trust. Or kindness. Or any number of virtues! When we pray for these character traits, God is faithful to give us plenty of tests and opportunities to develop these traits. God hears our prayers, and when we delight ourselves in Him and try to align our life with His will, He is faithful to answer our prayers.

1 Peter 3:12 – “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their prayer…”

John 14:14 – “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

I don’t know about you, but it is easier for me to see these tests and opportunities in my life than it is in the lives of my children. What if some of my children’s trials and life experiences are a result of my specific prayers for their sanctification and for God’s guidance in their lives? Not just general life experiences to teach them virtues and life skill — For example, one of my children has stayed with a job for quite a while, despite no raises and few accolades. But recently she received the raise and accolades she has been wanting because of her hard work. Or, another child learns to pace himself and not overwhelm himself in school by – overwhelming himself in school. 🙂 Or yet another child learns to heed the speed limit after getting a speeding ticket. These are general experiences that I think many people have and will (hopefully) learn and grow from.

To consider that some of these life experiences, trials, and tests may be a more specific result of my prayers for my kids puts this concept into a whole new light for me. To realize that (of course!) some of these experiences are also a result of what my children are praying for themselves brings me much peace.

I can plan my course in life. My children can each plan their course. But the Lord establishes [our] steps along the way.

Proverbs 16:9 – In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Sandwich Generation
Faith · motherhood · Women

Sandwich Generation

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I am part of what is called the “sandwich generation.” Meaning, I help care for my mother who is in home hospice care while I am still raising my own family (husband, four children at home, one child in college). There is no way around it – this is a stressful season of life.

We brought my mom home after a hospital stay just before Thanksgiving 2022. At that time, she required total assistance with most all tasks. With time (and stellar care from me and my sister, I must say), Mom grew stronger. Although she is still in hospice care, she can now do many activities herself. She still requires some assistance with ambulating and taking medications. We have in-home care a couple hours most days, and my sister and I check in daily and assist at night. The hospice staff is also WONDERFUL. But, to say life is “easier” now would be a misstatement. Life is hard. And complicated. Moms always have 4,332,578 items on our mind and to-do list on a slow day. In addition to keeping up with my full-time work, kids’ school and sports, finances, etc., I have to help ensure Mom is safe, eating, taking her medications….Then there is also the side of paying her bills, getting her long-term care insurance approved, filing her taxes, fielding phone calls… Thankfully, my sister is here and sharing the load. She was slated to graduate with her nurse practitioner degree in May 2023, but she had to take a leave of absence from school to help care for Mom. That makes me sad for her, but I know it was the choice she wanted to make.

It’s all. Just. Hard.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

One thing this journey is helping to teach me is the value of simplicity. This is a lesson I am in the process of learning in all aspects of my life right now. There are SO many activities in life that are actually disposable. I still do my best at work, but I do not take on extra. I am getting better at arranging my day to ensure I do not stay late (pro-tip: there is actually a lot of work that we put on ourselves that is unnecessary). My children are still involved in activities, but only if it is something they TRULY want and love to do. This is not the season for me to take on volunteer work. I am focusing hard on relationships with my kids and husband; otherwise, I think this could easily put a rift in our relationships. I am slowly working on getting excess clutter out of my house. A streamlined home and schedule help give me peace in the midst of the busy-ness and responsibilities.

I am so thankful we have had this extra, “borrowed,” time with Mom. It IS a gift from the Lord. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is HARD. And sometimes it helps just to say that out loud.